- Milestones reached in cardiovascular, renal, metabolic health
(CRM), and oncology
- Further data read-outs expected in 2024 in oncology, mental
health, and pulmonary fibrosis
- Strong first half net sales growth of 7.4%* year on year
Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading research-driven
biopharmaceutical company, reported on Thursday significant
progress in its pipeline across key therapeutic areas as it reached
major milestones in the first half of the year.
“We are stepping up our investments in R&D beyond our plans
announced in April,” said Hubertus von Baumbach, Chairman of the
Board of Managing Directors. “The data read-outs that we received
in MASH and will receive for oncology, mental health, and pulmonary
fibrosis give us reason to accelerate our launch preparedness for
these late-stage assets. We are pleased to see our pipeline
developing at such pace.”
Boehringer advanced its pipeline across clinical phases with
five new phase I, II, or III initiations in cardiometabolic
diseases, mental health, and oncology, and achieved two additional
fast track designations for programs in inflammation. At the same
time, the company announced nine R&D partnership agreements,
significantly bolstering its human pharma portfolio across all
therapeutic areas and tech platforms.
“As our pipelines continue to expand, both in depth and breadth,
we need to apply a rigorous focus where we allocate our resources,”
said Frank Hübler, Member of the Board of Managing Directors with
responsibility for Finance. “We want to accelerate our pipeline
where we can, to deliver innovative medicines to patients ever
faster.”
Net sales rose by 7.4%* year-on-year to EUR 12.9 billion in the
first six months of 2024, driven by ongoing high patient demand for
Boehringer’s medications, especially for the JARDIANCE® product
family and OFEV® in Human Pharma, and NEXGARD® in Animal
Health.
Human Pharma
As Boehringer prepares for its future portfolio and ongoing and
upcoming launches, the past months were marked by developments
across all focus therapy areas. For the remainder of the year, more
news is expected across the portfolio with data read-outs in
oncology (Zongertinib), mental health (Iclepertin) and pulmonary
fibrosis (Nerandomilast).
The company’s efforts to advance holistic cardiovascular, renal
and metabolic (CRM) health met some major milestones. Positive
Phase II data for survodutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated
steatohepatitis (MASH) showed groundbreaking results in liver
disease due to MASH, with 83.0% of adults treated with survodutide
achieving significant improvements versus 18.2% for placebo
(response difference: 64.8%; CI 51.1%-78.6%, p<0.0001).
Also, a sub analysis demonstrated that up to 64.5% of adults
with fibrosis stages F2 and F3 (moderate to advanced scarring)
achieved an improvement in fibrosis without worsening of MASH vs
placebo, 25.9% [response difference: 38.6% (95% CI 18.1% - 59.1%),
p=0.0005].1
The company initiated a Phase III trial in chronic heart failure
for its novel selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor (ASi) in
combination with empagliflozin. In an upcoming Phase III trial in
chronic kidney disease for ASi, Boehringer will collaborate with
Oxford Population Health.
Boehringer has joined a multi-year sponsorship of the American
Heart Association's Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health
Initiative. The initiative, which was announced recently, will
allow the company to better understand the burden of people
affected by diseases in these interconnected areas and enable
better care.
Boehringer is committed to re-entering oncology with targeted
investments. Phase Ia/Ib trial of Zongertinib, a HER2-specific
tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with HER2 aberration-positive
solid tumors, showed that Zongertinib was well tolerated and
demonstrated promising efficacy. 2 The Brightline-1 trial
investigating Brigimadlin in dedifferentiated liposarcoma did not
meet its primary endpoint, though the benefit-risk assessment
remains positive. Data for both oncology trials will be presented
at conferences in the coming months.
In the first six months of 2024, the Human Pharma business grew
by 9.3%* year on year. Net sales stood at EUR 10.3 billion. Growth
was driven primarily by the JARDIANCE® family and OFEV®. To meet
growing demand, the company continues high investments in its
production and supply network. In January, Boehringer announced a
further expansion and upgrade of its plant in Koropi, Greece. With
an investment of EUR 120 million, the company will increase the
manufacturing capacity of new and existing medications, some of
them in the late-stage development.
Animal Health
In livestock, the VAXXITEK® portfolio of poultry vaccines
continues to expand and grew by 15.9%*. The company launched
BULTAVO 3™, a new vaccine that protects cattle and sheep against
bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). It is the first BTV-3 vaccine
that prevents clinical signs and mortality. BULTAVO 3™ has been
licensed for emergency use in the Netherlands, Belgium, and
Germany. Recent outbreaks of BTV-3 in the three countries
caused severe losses for farmers and are threatening neighboring
countries.
In the Animal Health business, growth was slower than expected
in the first six months, with sales up 0.9%* compared to the same
period last year to EUR 2.5 billion. This was primarily due to
lower-than-expected sales in the U.S. pet business and challenging
market conditions in China, especially impacting the swine vaccine
business. Most other markets delivered solid growth.
With the recent launches of NEXGARD® PLUS for dogs and NEXGARD®
COMBO for cats, sales of the NEXGARD® parasiticides brands grew by
15.9%*. FRONTPRO®, the first approved over-the-counter chewable
tablet against ticks and fleas for dogs, is now available in most
countries in Europe and continues to drive growth in the region.
In pet therapeutics, sales of VETMEDIN®, indicated for use in
dogs with congestive heart failure, grew by 16.1%*.
Pipeline Outlook
Looking ahead, the company aims for up to 25 new treatment
launches in Human Pharma until 2030. In Animal Health, 20
additional launches are expected across markets until 2026,
including product updates, indication expansion and new
products.
Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in
both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top
investors in Research and Development, the company focuses on
developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical
need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a
long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire
value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to
build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. Learn
more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
* currency-adjusted
1 Sanyal, Arun J. "Glucagon and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist
survodutide improved liver histology in people with MASH and
fibrosis: Results from a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled phase 2 trial”. Oral presentation at
European Association for the Study of the Liver Congress, Milan,
Italy. 7June 2024. Abstract #LB117, presentation #GS-006.
2 Heymach, John. "Phase Ia/Ib trial of zongertinib (BI 1810631),
a HER2-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with HER2
aberration-positive solid tumors: updated Phase Ia data from
Beamion LUNG-1, including progression-free survival data”. Oral
presentation at American Society of Clinical Oncology, United
States, Chicago. 1 June 2024. Abstract #8514
- Boehringer_Workplace_Lab_Research